Chang Kai-chen of Taiwan hits a return against world No. 1 women’s player Dinara Safina of Russia during their second round match at the Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament in Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

World No. 1 and defending champion Dinara Safina was knocked out in the second round of the Toray Pan Pacific Open yesterday by Taiwanese qualifier Chang Kai-chen (張凱貞) only hours before her fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova was ousted in another upset result.

Safina was serving for the match in the third set when she double-faulted to give up a break. Chang, ranked 132nd and playing only for the fourth time in a WTA main draw, held her own serve and then broke Safina again for a 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 7-5 win to reach the third round of the US$2 million tournament.